Mic Techniques while recording and playing

[Noxey]

Hey guys,

I'm just starting out with recording and I need some pointers of how to effectively utilize the mic while also playing the guitar. I'm not the best guitarist in the world, and I was slightly shocked when playing back some recordings, and hearing the vocal volume move all over the place because of looking at the neck of the guitar at times while playing.

Is there anything that can be done about this, or do I just need to practice more so I can play through a song completely without ever having to look at the guitar?

I use a Senheiser e835, incase anyone wondered.

 

[Steenamaroo]

You can just move the mic over to that general direction and then always look that way.
That's probably the simplest answer.

 

[guitarplayr82]

I know a lot of guitarist/vocalists will put the mic right under their nose and press their upper lip up to the grill, thus "locking" the mic into place on their face.

 

[mjbphotos]

Best way: record the guitar track(s), then record the vocal track(s) separately.

 

[gecko zzed]

Is there anything that can be done about this, or do I just need to practice more so I can play through a song completely without ever having to look at the guitar?

mjbphotos made a good suggestion: record the guitar first, then the vocals.

However, you need to think about the future. Do you expect to perform on stage in front of people? If so, you will have to be extremely talented as a performer or a writer to get away with looking at your guitar instead of engaging the audience. So my answer is: "practice more".

 

[kenholz]

Compression and EQ